Riders’ Morrow hoping to hit it big against Argos

Luck has been on Jamal Morrow’s side — on and off the field.

Morrow, who is from Menifee, Calif., competed in one of the competitions where luck plays a major role: He was a contestant on The Price is Right in 2013.

“We went and it was College Day – it was a college-themed show going on – so I had my Washington State jacket on. I was still in high school but I was already committed to Washington State but it was the day after my prom,” the Saskatchewan Roughriders running back said. “They ask you questions and you have to have that personality that they want to see on TV and what you’re wearing as well.”

So in order to help him stand out, he grabbed his tie from prom as he put on his glasses and was out the door to try and get on the show to compete for a prize.

“They called my name and everything went from there,” he said.

Morrow not only got onto the show — and gave host Drew Carey a chest-bump — he also participated in the Showcase Showdown.

But he came just short of winning it all; his bid was just over the price of the prize package.

“It was crazy. I grew up watching the show all the time and when you get there, I was mostly in shock,” Morrow said. “I got a little too antsy and bid a little too high but at the end of the day it was a great experience and something I’ll always remember and take with me the rest of my life.”

But he didn’t leave empty-handed.

“I won some clothes and whatever I got on the showcase and got $1,000 on a gift card that I used for college,” Morrow said. “I got lucky that day.”

And Morrow is looking forward to his chance at redemption.

“I think after 10 years I can go back on there and get a chance for redemption. That clock is coming up soon so after that I’ll be on there for sure,” Morrow said.

His coaches in university took notice of his luck and decided to use it to their advantage.

While it was all in good fun, Morrow’s coach said Morrow was chosen to be a captain due to his strong performance on the game show.

It turned out to be a good choice as Morrow’s luck continued on the field for the Washington State Cougars, with Morrow winning the coin toss 24 of the 35 times he was tasked with it.

“It really is just whatever your heart feels, you just call it. I was lucky during my time at Washington State,” Morrow said.

Now the Riders are hoping that his skill and luck can translate to helping them find wins in the CFL.

During his career at Washington State, Morrow scored 23 total touchdowns while rushing for 1,795 yards. He also caught 202 passes — the most ever by a Washington State running back — for 1,748 yards.

Morrow wasn’t selected in the 2018 NFL draft but worked out with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He signed a contract with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football league but was waived.

Morrow then signed with the Riders in April 2019.

He spent that entire year on the practice roster behind veterans William Powell, Marcus Thigpen and Kienan LaFrance.

“I feel like I’m more comfortable. Having that ability to sit back and watch guys like Thiggy and Willy P go at it and just take in all the information from them that they told me from the game and watching film myself (was important),” Morrow said. “It slows the game down for me at least and so now when I go out there, I know what to expect and you’ve just got to go and take advantage of any opportunity.”

Morrow started off the 2021 campaign on the practice roster with running back Marcus Murphy emerging from camp as the team’s primary returner.

But after Murphy suffered a toe injury prior to the Labour Day Classic, Morrow was the next man up.

Since playing in that game, Morrow has averaged 14.4 yards per punt return and 18.9 yards per kickoff return.

Morrow also nearly scored the Riders’ first return touchdown of the year when Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Marc Liegghio missed on a 48-yard field-goal attempt. Morrow only had Liegghio to beat, but the officials called Morrow down — a call he doesn’t agree with.

“I’m going to die on that hill that I was not down. My feet were still in the air and I was still up and you can’t control the whistle but technically yeah (I was down),” Morrow said.

He said he was disappointed he wasn’t able to break it for a touchdown.

“I feel like there’s a lot of plays that I’ve left out there in the two games that I’ve played where one cut a different way results in a touchdown. That’s the way I think of it — a letdown on the team where I feel like I could score,” Morrow said.

Morrow and the Riders will meet the Toronto Argonauts on Friday at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff for the game is set for 7:45 p.m.